The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-05-24
Four Drivers Arrested for Neglecting
to Call Out the Names of Streets.
Passengers on the Virginia-Avenue Line Re-
fuse to Put Their Fares in the Box
"A Mass-Meeting Tonight.

day the strikers admitted that, so far, they had
made but little progress. They claimed that
some accessions had come to their ranks but on
the other hand, the company asserted that sew
eral of those who went out had applied for work
and were given One OF the strikers. dur
ing tho afternoon came TO the transfer car,
where Manager Steele WAS doing temporary
service in place OF OF the transfer men who
was driving. The striker said he was willing to 90
to work, and his change box was returned to him.
He waited for the car he was to take, and within
few minutes had charge Of a team. But the
strikers committees as energetic as ever in
trying to persuade the men to leave their
This work did not to be encouraging. for
the drivers who are Knights refuse to act with
out the authority of their district assem-
bly,. IL that body should act or
rather its executive committee, in leealizing the
strike. the chances that the company would
be badly crippled meeting of the strikers
and the authorized representatives Of the
Knights was held during the afternoon, but moth
ing was accomplished The prospect then of Sc
curing the .dorsement of the knights did not
seem to be hopeful, for a striker said he feared
they would eventually fail to accomplish what
they sought. AS a strike it is seriously ham
pered by want of unaninity among the mon who
went out A few have been trying to take
middle ground between the company and their
fellow-strikers. They dstrusted by both
parties. This. with the decided reluctance on
the part of the knights, made the condition
rather chaotic.
The committee having charge of the dstribu-
ton Of circulars sent out appeal to the people
setting forth number OF grievances. 1t is
among other things stated in this circular that
number of unjust and unprincipled road officers
carry out the arbitrary rules of
the company, and that these idlers.
fearful Of losing their situations, are constantly
seeking opportunity arraign driver for
violation of alleged rules. 1t is further recired
that If a driver is a half minute ahead of time
the road officer telephones to tho stable to lay
him off until further notice If the car is be-
hind, similar suspension. it is charged, is or
dered. Investigation of the drivers pleas is not
permitted. The driver dare not question the
curacy of the officers time, and If the driver at
tempts defense IL is stated that suspension fol-
lows. If a car is one fare short and the driver
cannot prove that the passenger failed to pay, he
is unce-emoniously discharged. He is also dis
charged II an enemy reports that he took
nickle. The driver, as in all other cases, is de-
MED investigation. He is also suspended for
giving short answers TO the road officers. The
circular gives much space to the charge that the
proprietors OF the Citizens Street-railway Com
pany use indianapolis as a waste basket for
four companies in other cities, in which Colonel
johnson, il is said has interest Here
the people treated to "a rough ride in a dog
house wheels, while the charter OF the n
dianapolis system requires that the
thereon must not be inferior to those used In
other cities. 1t is alleged that Colonel johnson,
in other cities, employs a conductor to each car
for the reason that the people demand it and
competition forces it. Drivers are paid 81 per
day, and in some instances considerably more,
while the conductors get from So. % to s.. so.
From this the conclusion is reached that the
large profits Of the Citizens' Street-railway Com
pany used ito make life pleasure to people
who have n 10 interest in the welfare of the com
are Hal1 ad m afaiu
the strikers by refusing patronage to the COM
pany until the wrongs of it's employees are made
right"
In reference to these charges Colonel johnson
says that the rules of the company not as
severe represented, and that they are only APP
pl led when it is necessary TO secure discipline.
He denies that he has dollar of property else
where than in Indianapolis. Only one stock
holder of the Citizens Street-railway Company
has an interest in the Cleveland. Brooklyn and
St. Louis lines. and this mans stock in the In
dianapolis company does not represent
jority. 1.-The indianapolis company" said the
Colonel, INSTEAD of sending money to those
cities has been aided By them. do not intend
TO compromise. l can get all the drivers want,
but tits my desire to take back the strikers
whenever they feel like going work A few,
of course who have been carry ing water on
both shoulders cannot expect this leniepcy. but
a majority of the men will be restored at the old
wages. l do not see why they should hold me
responsible for ordinance that the Council
has passed"
The company had about forty-two cars yes
were in charge of officers of the road. but the
company says offers have been made by street
drivers in other cities supply drivers.
Two from Terre Haute have cars, and the
rest of the force is made up OF the regular driv-
ers, few strikers who have gone back, and Off
of the company.
Willetts Assembly. while it has not Endorsed
the strike, and cannot do SO except as a local or
ganization, which would not have the force of
action by the district assembly. yesterday ap-
pointed committee to confer with Colonel
lat Wa Qaf nip
and the committee says he talked fairly and
evinced a desire for settlement. He was willing
TO have all the matters of which the strikers
complain submitted to arbitration except the
question of wages He would not consent
raise the wages half cent. But the committee
had such confidence in an adjustment of all diff
culties that il again visited the Colonel. How
ever, the result was unchanged, aud
IL the Colonel is still determined pay only
fourteen cents an hour the strike will probably
continue several days, unless influences in the
Interests of the men pre- vail upon them to return
on the conditions which Colonel johnson, 1T is
represented, is willing to concede through arbi-
tration. These that whips will be furnished
by the company. the caps at a reduced price,
and that the treatment of the men will be In
some particulars not as harsh heretofore. 1t
Is said that the Colonel is willing to place con-
ductors on the Massachusetts avenue line. but
the men are not anxious to have any conductors,
since IL is asserted that Colonel Johnson is in
clined to recede from enforcing the calling of
streets. The difficulty in the way of settlement
appears now to rest altogether in the
AuVance Oh the wages 10 10 cents
per hour. In the meantime the
strikers are pursuing the policy they adopted
Saturday, which has had an effect on the drivers
at tbs West-street stables. The men there were
willing to drive until yesterday. Robert John
ron then had some trouble in inducing them to
80 out with their He succeeded, but the
first car ran out of the stable forty-fiva minutes
late Mr.. Johnson anticipates n repetition of
the difficulty this morning. but he is hopeful of
success 1t is at these stables where the most
of the drivers who Knights of Labor and
members of Willetts Assembly report. Yester-
day the company gained point by running
two cars on the West Washington street line. on
which there had been no cars since the strike
began. Among the lines operated were the
Massachusetts avenue, with eight cars; the
Blake and Noble street, with nine Virginia i've
nue.. with seven; West Washington street. with
two. On Pennsylvania street about eight cars
were run, and there equal number on
Illinois street, with running TO the Union
Depot. Tie men who WORK at or near the stock
yards bad 70 rely express wagons run IN the